SECU Election Petitions: Isn't This A Losing Struggle?

 

✔ Yes, SECU members are losing their credit union.

"The process has been distorted by leaders with member-owners having no meaningful role at any step."  [link] 

 ✅ Look at how prticipation in your Annual SECU Membership Meeting has changed: 

 Recent Year     Member May Speak     Member Resolutions

       2022                 Fully Permitted         Fully Permitted

       2023                    Restricted                     Restricted

       2024                    Prohibited                    Restricted

       2025                    Prohibited                    Prohibited 

✅ Member-led Loan Review Committees: Eliminated! 

✅ Still to Come for SECU Members? Only Board self-selected candidates eligible to run? 

The SECU Board has passed a bylaw amendment which would increase the petition signature requirement for member-nominated Board candidates from 500 members to over 15,000+ members - and upwards as membership continues to rise!

 

For some reason our CEO won't admit it [link]!  

 

✔ Hope you will help preserve your right to petition and vote for member-nominated Board candidates.  

 

      💢💢 Here's why and how - [check it out!] 💢💢  

 

                                  

  What have you got to lose... everything?

 

  * Your signature is not an endorsement of the candidates, it will simply permit them to run and make their case to the members in September.

SECU Members 2026 Elections: Time To "Lock And (Down)-Load!

   

😎 SECU folks have been badgering me: "Get back on track, stop wandering around on the "Left Coast"!

✔ OK, OK then! Got an urgent request, need your help if you're an SECU member.

Two highly qualified, long-time SECU members, Julian Hawes and Barry Browning, are seeking 500 member signatures in order to self-nominate as candidates for the SECU Board election in 2026.  Both applied to the SECU nominating committee but were not selected - incumbents as usual were preferred.

 

The two are seeking election because the SECU Board has passed a bylaw amendment which would increase the petition signature requirement from 500 members to 15,000 to over 30,000 as membership continues to rise! 

 

✔  That doesn't sound fair! Here's what the two candidates had to say:

"As you are probably aware, the credit union is fighting to retain its ability to remain a democratic institution by  being able to have members nominate candidates to represent them.  We are asking you to help us in this effort by signing a candidate petition for both of us in the next few days. Believe me, it is awkward, having to reach out to former coworkers and friends for such assistance. If you could commit to getting a few family members and friends to sign a petition, it would mean so much to both of us.  Time is of essence, since we have such a narrow window to get 500 signatures. All of this is being done to ensure that we can hold on to one of the very last vestiges we have as a true credit union, “One member, One vote”.  Thank you in advance for your consideration."

Signed,

Julian Hawes & Barry Browning

✅ If you would like to receive a petition you can download just send an email request to: jimblainenc@gmail.com  You will receive a nominating petition for each of the candidates. You will find the name of each candidate printed in the upper right text. Please complete and sign a page for each candidate.

1. Download and print off a set of petition forms from the return email (as many as you need!). 
2. Complete and sign a page for each candidate.
3. Mail originals to: SECU Fair Elections, 3192 Cannadys Mill Rd., Franklinton, N.C. 27525
4. Please drop in the mail asap - by July 22nd, if possible!

     🎇🎇🎇🎇  If you would like to email the candidates directly: 🎇🎇🎇🎇

                        Barry Browning [browningb3@gmail.com]       

                        Julian Hawes [jwhawes124@gmail.com]

✔ Hope that you will help support this effort. Your signature is not an endorsement of the candidates, it will simply permit them to run and make their case to the members in September.

 

Please also consider texting or forwarding this post to other members. If you can help by getting your family and a few other members to sign, we can finish this next week. 

 

There is a sense of urgency, so please help now.

 Help preserve the right for SECU members to choose their Board.